Point-pressure application system

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for applying point-pressure to a wound site that helps occlude open blood vessels. The apparatus being comprised of a pressure applicator, a mounting plate, articulating strap attachment points, and counter-pressure cavities. The articulating strap attachment points attach to straps around a patient&#39;s body in such a manner that the apparatus is stabilized over a patient&#39;s wound. Moreover, the counter-pressure cavities permit a user to apply leverage caused by counter-force mechanism (while also applying a downward force on the pressure applicator). These features enable a user to quickly and easily apply point pressure to a wound site.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 62/648,311, filed Mar. 26, 2018, entitled “Point pressure andhemorrhage control device.”

The entire content of that application is incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND Field of the Art

The present invention pertains to a system for applying point pressure.More specifically, the present disclosure pertains to a point pressureapplicator that may be used for limiting hemorrhage by occluding openwounds, blood vessels, etc., or for other medical and/therapeutic uses.

Discussion of the State of the Art

Hemorrhages that are caused by open blood vessels or wounds, whichrepresent a significant danger to patients because they can result inexsanguination. Short term arterial blood loss can be irreversible andmay lead to death if left unaddressed. The traditional method fortreating hemorrhages is to apply a tourniquet, which wraps around apatient's injured limb and applies constrictive force around thepatient's entire limb in an effort to occlude damaged blood vessels andprevent them from bleeding further.

However, traditional tourniquet systems can not be applied to truncal(or non-limbic) portions of a patients body. For example, traditionaltourniquets are ineffective at stopping bleeding-in the pelvic region,the chest, the shoulder, the stomach, etc. Moreover, traditionaltourniquets, when applied properly often damage surrounding tissuesbecause of the excessive pressure that may be required in order toachieve vessel occlusion. This ancillary damage may be exacerbated ifnearby organs have already suffered trauma. As such, traditionaltourniquets sometimes are avoided and some physicians regard them asdoing more harm than good.

Some prior art systems have attempted to alleviate this problem byapplying point pressure directly to the injured vessels. These systemsapply downward pressure directly on the injured vessel instead ofapplying constrictive force around the entire limb. These systems aremuch more effective at stopping hemorrhages to junctional locations, andtend to cause less damage to nearby areas. However, these point pressuresystems also suffer from significant other limitations. For one, thesesystems cannot be deployed very quickly. Generally, users or medicalcare providers must receive extensive training to use these devices, andthey are not intuitive in design. They must be properly positioned witha series of screws, air bladders, and straps making repositioning verytimely. Thereafter, medical care providers must apply pressure byscrewing in a point-pressure applicator, or pump an air bladder, orusing a pneumatic pressure application system, which can be affectedduring aeromedical evacuation from atmospheric pressure. The entireprocess can take valuable time, or have limitations, which may becritical in saving the patient's life.

However, presently available point-pressure systems are unusable in avariety of different field or transport situations. For example,presently available point-pressure systems rely on a long vertical rodswith a counter foot plate that apply downward pressure to one or moreblood vessels. However, these vertical rods with foot plate, becausethey rely on a stable laying surface, may fall out of place if, forexample, a patient moves, if the patient is moved from one location toanother, if the rods is accidentally knocked over by a nearby person, orif the patient is being transported in a vehicle that is moving, such asa transport truck or an aerial vehicle. Pneumatic pressure systems andair bladders are similarly limited. For example, air bladders areaffected by changes in atmospheric pressure (such as during aeromedicalevacuation environments) and the materials used in these devices do notfare well in extreme temperature storage variances, such as the onesthat military equipment must endure.

These problems are exacerbated by the fact that it is nearly impossibleto use traditional point-pressure systems in a manner that permits thepressure rod to extend vertically above the wound. Human subjects,because of their natural biology, have asymmetric shapes and roundedcontours. As a result, in practice, the pressure rod in point-pressuresystems rarely extend vertically above a wound. Instead, the pressurerods typically extend above the wound at an angle. This makes the entiresystem more unstable and more prone to getting knocked over in busyenvironments.

Finally, traditional tourniquet systems and the newer point-pressuresystems are not designed for self-application. These systems requiremedical professionals to use two hands simultaneously to apply thedevices over wounds arid to apply pressure once the device is in place.However, single-handed use—and the ability to apply pressure to thepatient's own injury—is a critical requirement for military use devicesbecause medical help may not be readily available.

SUMMARY

The present invention is a point-pressure application system thatovercomes the limitations described above. More specifically, thepresent invention is for an auto-locking apparatus for controllinghemorrhage that enables a user to apply point pressure extremely rapidlywith a single hand. In one embodiment, the inventive apparatus may becomprised of a mounting plate for mounting the apparatus over a woundsite, an articulating strap attachment point that extends from themounting plate, wherein the articulating strap attachment point mayconnect to a strap that secures the apparatus over the wound site, acoupling mechanism for coupling the mounting plate to a buckle on thestrap that secures the apparatus over the wound site, wherein thecoupling mechanism may permit the mounting plate and the buckle tofreely rotate around each other when the mounting plate and the buckleare connected to the articulating strap attachment point, wherein thecoupling mechanism ensures that the mounting plate remains parallel tothe wound site when the apparatus is secured to a patient, a pressureapplicator for applying point pressure to the wound site, wherein thepressure applicator extends through the mounting plate and beingstabilized in a lateral direction by the mounting plate, an auto-lockingmechanism enabling the pressure applicator to travel, upon applicationof downward force, towards the wound site when the apparatus is placedover the wound site, wherein the auto-locking mechanism prevents thepressure applicator from travelling away from the wound site whendownward pressure is removed from the pressure applicator, and whereinthe auto-locking mechanism comprising a locking tab, and a finger holddisposed on the mounting plate, wherein the finger hold enables a userto apply counter-force in a generally opposite direction to the downwardforce that may be applied to the pressure applicator, and wherein thecounter-force enables a user to apply leverage when applying downwardforce to the pressure applicator.

A feature of the present invention is that it enables a user to applypoint pressure rapidly. As described above, traditional point-pressuresystems employ a screw-in system for slowly moving a pressure rod in adownward direction. This is a reliable method of pressure application.But, it takes times to apply pressure by turning a screw, especially inemergency situations where time is of the essence. The pressureapplication system of the present invention permits a user to freelyslide a pressure applicator in a downward direction by simply applyingpressure in a downward direction. The apparatus of the present inventionis also comprised of an auto-locking mechanism, which enables theapparatus to maintain pressure even after the user stops applyingdownward pressure to the pressure applicator.

Another feature of the present invention is that it permits a user toapply pressure by using a single hand, and, as a result, a patient canself apply the apparatus to his or her own wound in an effort to closeit, In one embodiment, the inventive apparatus is comprised of amounting plate that is further comprised of a finger hold. The fingerhold permits a user to apply counter force to the pressure applicator.Without this feature, the user would end up applying pressure to thewound itself. Moreover, without this feature, single-handed applicationwould not be possible.

Another feature of the present invention is that it can be used over anywound site on a patient's body. In one embodiment, the inventiveapparatus is comprised of a freely rotating coupling mechanism forcoupling the apparatus to straps. More specifically, the couplingmechanism permits the apparatus and/or the straps to rotate freelyaround each other. This enables a user to secure the straps around anyportion of the patient's body, while ensuring that the mounting plateremains over the wound site and remains generally parallel to the woundsite. As such, the pressure application maintains its position andapplies appropriate downward pressure to occlude a blood vessel or awound.

Another feature of the present invention is that it stabilizes theapparatus over a wound, which enables users to deploy the inventiveapparatus in a field environment. The freely rotating coupling mechanismdescribed above also ensures that the mounting plate remains parallel tothe wound.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

The accompanying drawings illustrate several embodiments and, togetherwith the description, serve to explain the principles of the inventionaccording to the embodiments. It will be appreciated by one skilled inthe art that the particular arrangements illustrated in the drawings aremerely exemplary and are not to be considered as limiting of the scopeof the invention or the claims herein in any way.

FIG. 1 illustrates, in accordance to one embodiment of the invention, anexemplary inventive apparatus.

FIG. 2a illustrates, in accordance to one embodiment of the invention,an exemplary apparatus that is connected to a patient's shoulder toapply point-pressure on the patient's aorta.

FIG. 2b illustrates, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention,an exemplary apparatus that is attached to a patient's torso to applypoint-pressure on the patient's subclavian artery.

FIG. 2c illustrates, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention,an exemplary apparatus that is attached to a patient's torso to applypoint-pressure on the patient's abdominal aorta.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary apparatus from another perspective, inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary apparatus, in accordance with anotherembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary mounting plate of the inventiveapparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The inventor has conceived, and reduced to practice, an apparatus forapplying point pressure. The apparatus may be used for a variety of usescases, including, for example, to occlude open blood vessels or openwounds, for therapeutic use, such as to apply pressure to acupressurepoints along a patient's body. Specifically, the inventive apparatus ofthe present invention is for an auto-locking apparatus, the apparatusenabling a user to apply point pressure extremely rapidly with a singlehand. In one embodiment of the invention, the apparatus is comprised ofa mounting plate for mounting the apparatus over a wound site, themounting plate comprising a top surface and a bottom surface, anarticulating strap attachment point extending from the mounting plate,the articulating strap attachment point connecting to a strap thatsecures the apparatus over the wound site, a coupling mechanism forcoupling the mounting plate to a buckle on the strap that secures theapparatus over the wound site, the coupling mechanism permitting themounting plate and the buckle to freely rotate around each other whenthe mounting plate and the buckle are connected to the articulatingstrap attachment point, the coupling mechanism ensuring that themounting plate remains parallel to the wound site when the apparatus issecured to a patient, a pressure applicator for applying point pressureto the wound site, the pressure applicator extending through themounting plate and being stabilized in a lateral direction by themounting plate, an auto-locking mechanism enabling the pressureapplicator to travel, upon application of downward force, towards thewound site when the apparatus is placed over the wound site, theauto-locking mechanism preventing the pressure applicator fromtravelling away from the wound site when downward pressure is removedfrom the pressure applicator, the auto-locking mechanism comprising alocking tab, and a finger hold disposed on the mounting plate, thefinger hold enabling a user to apply counter-force in a generallyopposite direction to the downward force that may be applied to thepressure applicator, the counter-force enabling a user to apply leveragewhen applying downward force to the pressure applicator.

In one embodiment, the coupling mechanism of the present invention maybe further comprised of locking tab for locking the mounting plate tothe strap buckle. The mounting plate may be further comprised of aaperture or opening that extends from the top surface of the mountingplate to the bottom surface of the mounting plate. In one embodiment,the pressure applicator may travel through the aperture or opening inthe mounting plate. The pressure applicator may be further comprised ofa gripper that is disposed on the distal end of the pressure applicator,the gripper comprised of softer, compressible material. The pressureapplicator may also be comprised of a hemorrhage stopper that isdisposed on the proximal end of the pressure applicator, the hemorrhagestopper stopping hemorrhage at the wound site upon application of force.The auto-locking mechanism may be further comprised of a tab that iscomprised of a aperture or opening, wherein the pressure applicatortravels through the aperture or opening in the tab.

In one embodiment of the invention, the locking tab extends at an angleat a resting position, the angle enabling the tab to apply friction topressure applicator and prevent it from moving longitudinally throughtabs aperture or opening. The friction applied on the pressureapplicator by the tab may be removed by applying downward pressure onthe tab, which places the tab on an plane that is orthogonal to thepressure applicator. In one embodiment, applying downward pressure onthe pressure applicator also causes the tab to slide down and becomeorgthogonal to the pressure applicator, which permits the pressureapplicator to freely travel in a downward direction.

In one embodiment of the invention, the tab extends from a tab holder,wherein the tab holder is connected to one end of the tab. Moreover, thetab holder extends from the mounting plate, wherein the tab holderdesigned to hold the tab, by default, at an offset angle, which enablesthe tab to apply friction on the pressure applicator. The tab holder maybe designed so that it can be depressed at an end that is not connectedto the tab holder, thereby placing the tab in a plan that issubstantially orthogonal to the pressure applicator.

In one embodiment, the finger hold is molded into the mounting plate.The finger hold may be comprised of a aperture or opening, wherein thepressure applicator travels through the aperture or opening in themounting plate and the aperture or opening in the finger hold.

In one embodiment, the apparatus may be comprised of four articulatingstrap attachment points. Each articulating strap attachment point mayconnect to a buckle, each buckle being connected to a strap. The strapsmay connect together around a patient to secure the apparatus over awound site. in one embodiment, the straps may be secured around thepatient, the coupling mechanism permits rotation to ensure that theapparatus remains substantially parallel to the surface of the woundsite.

The invention is described by reference to various elements herein. Itshould be noted, however, that although the various elements of theinventive apparatus are described separately below, the elements neednot necessarily be separate. The various embodiment may beinterconnected and may be cut out of a singular block or mold. Thevariety of different ways of forming an inventive apparatus, inaccordance with the disclosure herein, may be varied without departingfrom the scope of the invention.

Generally, one or more different embodiments may be described in thepresent application. Further, for one or more of the embodimentsdescribed herein, numerous alternative arrangements may be described; itshould be appreciated that these are presented for illustrative purposesonly and are not limiting of the embodiments contained herein or theclaims presented herein in any way. One or more of the arrangements maybe widely applicable to numerous embodiments, as may be readily apparentfrom the disclosure. In general, arrangements are described insufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice one ormore of the embodiments, and it should be appreciated that otherarrangements may be utilized and that structural changes may be madewithout departing from the scope of the embodiments. Particular featuresof one or more of the embodiments described herein may be described withreference to one or more particular embodiments or figures that form apart of the present disclosure, and in which are shown, by way ofillustration, specific arrangements of one or more of the aspects. Itshould be appreciated, however, that such features are not limited tousage in the one or more particular embodiments or figures withreference to which they are described. The present disclosure is neithera literal description of all arrangements of one or more of theembodiments nor a listing of features of one or more of the embodimentsthat must be present in all arrangements.

Headings of sections provided in this patent application and the titleof this patent application are for convenience only and are not to betaken as limiting the disclosure in any way.

Devices and parts that are connected to each other need not be incontinuous connection with each other, unless expressly specifiedotherwise, in addition, devices and parts that are connected with eachother may be connected directly or indirectly through one or moreconnection means or intermediaries,

A description of an aspect with several components in connection witheach other does not imply that all such components are required. To thecontrary, a variety of optional components may be described toillustrate a wide variety of possible embodiments and in order to morefully illustrate one or more embodiments. Similarly, although processsteps, method steps, or the like may be described in a sequential order,such processes and methods may generally be configured to work inalternate orders, unless specifically stated to the contrary. In otherwords, any sequence or order of steps that may be described in thispatent application does not, in and of itself, indicate a requirementthat the steps be performed in that order. The steps of describedprocesses may be performed in any order practical. Further, some stepsmay be performed simultaneously despite being described or implied asoccurring non-simultaneously (e,g., because one step is described afterthe other step). Moreover, the illustration of a process by itsdepiction in a drawing does not imply that the illustrated process isexclusive of other variations and modifications thereto, does not implythat the illustrated process or any of its steps are necessary to one ormore of the embodiments, and, does not imply that the illustratedprocess is preferred. Also, steps are generally described once peraspect, but this does not mean they must occur once, or that they mayonly occur once each time a process, or method is carried out orexecuted. Some steps may be omitted in some embodiments or someoccurrences, or some steps may be executed more than once in a givenaspect or occurrence.

When a single device or article is described herein, it will be readilyapparent that more than one device or article may be used in place of asingle device or article. Similarly, where more than one device orarticle is described herein, it will be readily apparent that a singledevice or article may be used in place of the more than one device orarticle.

The functionality or the features of a device may be alternativelyembodied by one or more other devices that are not explicitly describedas having such functionality or features. Thus, other embodiments neednot include the device itself

Techniques and mechanisms described or referenced herein will sometimesbe described in singular form for clarity. However, it should beappreciated that particular embodiments may include multiple iterationsof a technique or multiple instantiations of a mechanism unless notedotherwise. Alternate implementations are included within the scope ofvarious embodiments in which, for example, functions may be executed outof order from that shown or discussed, including substantiallyconcurrently or in reverse order, depending on the functionalityinvolved, as would be understood by those having ordinary skill in theart.

Overview

FIGS. 1 and 4 illustrate two exemplary embodiments of the inventiveapparatus 100 disclosed herein. The inventive apparatus 100 is comprisedof a mounting plate 106, articulating strap attachment point(s) 114, apressure applicator 102, a locking tab 104, finger hold(s) 108, and ahemorrhage stopper 112. The apparatus 100 may be connected to straps 116via the mounting plate 106 and the articulating strap attachmentpoint(s) 114. FIG. 4 illustrates, in accordance with another exemplaryembodiment of the invention, a tab extension portion 120, a tab holder122, and grip support wings 110.

The various elements assemble together to form the inventive apparatus100. The entire apparatus 100 may be placed over a wound. Once theapparatus 100 is properly placed, the pressure applicator 102 may beextended, by application of force, in a downward direction towards anopen wound or blood vessel. In one embodiment of the invention, thepressure applicator 102 may extend downward until the hemorrhage stopper112 contacts the open blood vessels and occludes it to prevent it frombleeding further. The finger hold(s) 108 disclosed herein assists a userin applying downward pressure by permitting the user to applycounter-force in an opposite direction (i.e. in an upward direction) toapply leverage to the pressure applicator 102.

The locking tab 104 engages the pressure applicator 102 when externaldownward pressure is removed from the pressure applicator 102 to preventthe pressure applicator 102 from extending upward or away from the openvessel. The locking tab 104 of the present invention permits thepressure applicator 102 to travel in a downward direction (i.e. toward awound) upon application of downward force. But it prevents the pressureapplicator 102 to travel in an upward direction unless a portion of thelocking tab 104 is activated by application of downward force.

In this manner, the apparatus 100 ensures that pressure is maintained onthe wound or the injured blood vessel, which prevents the patient frombleeding further. The articulating strap attachment point(s) 114 may beused to connect the apparatus to straps 116 that may be secured againstthe patient's body. In this manner, the apparatus 100 of the presentinvention may be used to prevent a patient from bleeding out due to anopen wound or injured blood vessels.

Description of Components

The mounting plate 1.06 of the present invention is designed to beplaced above a. wound site and/or one or more open blood vessels. Themounting plate 106 serves as the foundation for connecting the variouscomponents of the inventive apparatus 100 described herein. Moreover,the mounting plate 106 also serves to stabilize the apparatus 100 over awound side and serves to redistribute the forces that may be applied byone or more straps 116 when the straps 116 are attached to a patient andthe mounting plate 106.

FIGS. 1 and 4 illustrate two exemplary mechanisms for connecting themounting plate 106 to the locking tab 104. In one exemplary embodiment,as illustrated in FIG. 1, the mounting plate 106 is integrally attachedto locking tab 104 via retention device. A variety of differentretention devices may be used without departing from the scope of theinvention, including, but not limited to a screw, a post, a bracket,etc. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the retention device may connect themounting plate 106 and the locking tab 104 in a manner that the lockingtab may be moved in a downward direction by depressing the locking tab104 at an end that is not connected to the mounting plate 106, therebypermitting the locking tab 104 to be placed in a plane that issubstantially orthogonal to the pressure applicator 104. As described ingreater detail below, once the locking tab 104 is in a substantiallyorthogonal plane to the pressure applicator 102, the aperture or openingthat is formed within the locking tab 104, and through which thepressure applicator is disposed, becomes substantially orthogonal to thepressure applicator 102 and permits the pressure applicator to freelyslide through the locking tab's aperture or opening and the mountingplate's aperture or opening through with the pressure applicator 102 isdisposed.

In another embodiment of the invention, the locking tab 104 may beattached to the mounting plate via an integrally formed tab extensionportion 120 and tab holder 122. In other embodiments, the tab extensionportion 120 and tab holder 122 may not be integrally formed, but may beattached via an attachment mechanism. As illustrated in FIG. 4, forexample, the tab extension portion 120 may extend from the top surfaceof the mounting plate 106 (i.e. the surface that is faced away from thewound when the apparatus 100 is placed over the wound). A tab holder122, which may be integrally formed or attached to the tab extensionportion 120 may be comprised of a slot to accept the locking tab 104 andmate with it. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the tab holder 122 may mate withthe locking tab 104 in a manner that the locking tab may be moved in adownward direction by depressing the locking tab 104 at an end that isnot connected to the tab holder 122, thereby permitting the locking tab1.04 to be placed in a plane that is substantially orthogonal to thepressure applicator 104. As described in greater detail below, once thelocking tab 104 is in a substantially orthogonal plane to the pressureapplicator 102, the aperture or opening that is formed within thelocking tab 104, and through which the pressure applicator is disposed,becomes substantially orthogonal to the pressure applicator 102 andpermits the pressure applicator to freely slide through the lockingtab's aperture or opening and the mounting plate's aperture or openingthrough with the pressure applicator 102 is disposed.

The mounting plate 106 may also be comprised of articulating strapattachment points) 114, which serve to couple the mounting plate 106 tostraps that may be attached around a patient. In one embodiment of theinvention, the one or more articulating strap attachment point(s) 114may extend downward from the bottom surface of the mounting plate 106(i.e. the surface that faces the wound site when the apparatus 100 isplaced over a patient's wound).

Now referring to the articulating strap attachment point(s) 114 asillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3. As discussed herein, the articulatingstrap attachment point(s) 114 extend downward from the bottom surface ofthe mounting plate 106 (i.e. the surface that faces the wound site whenthe apparatus 100 is placed over a patient's wound). in accordance withan embodiment of the invention, the articulating attachment point(s) 114form a coupling mechanism to permit a portion of one or more straps 116to connect to the mounting plate 106. Specifically, as illustrated inFIG. 3, the articulating attachment point(s) 114 couple to buckles 132that may be further connected to straps 116. In one embodiment of theinvention, the strap buckles 132 are comprised of an aperture or anopening. The buckle's aperture may be placed over an articulating strapattachment point 114, and the attachment point 114 may thereafter belocked by a screw, a bolt mechanism, or another similar system to ensurethat the straps do not become inadvertently disconnected from themounting plate 102. In one embodiment, the diameter of the buckle's 132aperture may be slightly larger than the exterior diameter of thearticulating strap attachment point(s) 114, wherein the aperture issubstantially circular and the articulating strap attachment point(s)114 are substantially cylindrical. This feature of the present inventionpermits the strap buckles 132 and the mounting plate 102 to rotatearound each other along a central axis.

The coupling mechanism of the present invention enables the apparatus tosecurely fit over a variety of different portions of a patient's bodyand/or body parts, and permits the apparatus 100 to remain substantiallyparallel to wound. FIGS. 2a, 2b, and 2c highlight this point byillustrating the apparatus 100 as being securely fastened to a patient'sthroat and upper body, as shown in FIG. 2a , over the patient's chest toocclude the patient's subclavian artery, as illustrated in FIG. 2b , andover the patient's stomach to occlude the abdominal aorta, asillustrated in FIG. 2c . These figures are exemplary to illustrate howthe apparatus may fit over a variety of different body parts and woundsites. However, the figures and the description herein is not limited toplacement over these particular body parts or arteries. The apparatus100 may be used over a variety of different parts of a user's body,including, but not limited to arteries in the pelvis where the pelvicbifurcation exists, a rotation at the attaching points to a parallelconfiguration with both around the waist is necessary to apply pressureto the abdominal vessels, the straps can then be rotated to be slightlyoff axis to allow one strap around the chest and one over the shoulderto apply pressure in the axilla. The same would be necessary to applypressure to the subclavian artery. The rotation permits the apparatus100 to apply pressure in nontraditional locations such as heavy venousbleeding from lower abdominal mid axillary wounds or buttocks wounds orcaring for large patients.

In one embodiment, the apparatus 100 may be comprised of fourarticulating strap attachment points 104. The four attachment points 104may be disposed along the perimeter of the mounting plate's bottomsurface. The four attachment points 104 redistribute the compressiveforce that may be applied by the straps when they are securely fastenedover a portion of the patient's body. In one embodiment, the fourattachment points 104 enable the straps to form an “X” pattern to crossunder the apparatus to stabilize the apparatus when attached to apatient.

Now referring to FIG. 5, which illustrates another exemplary mountingplate with an attachment mechanism for attaching straps 116 to theapparatus 100. As illustrated, the mounting plate 106 may be comprisedof one more slots 115. The straps 116 that secure the apparatus 100around a patient's body can be fed through the slots 115 to connect thestraps 116 to the mounting plate 106. The slots 115 may be extend aroundthe outer parameter of the mounting plate 106 to permit the straps 116to slide from one end of the slot 115 to another. This configurationpermits a user to secure the apparatus 100 around a variety of differentlocations on a patient's body. For example, if one or more straps needto extend at a particular angle from the mounting plate 106 to be placedsecurely around the patient's body, then the straps may be sufficientlymoved within the slot 115 to ensure that the apparatus 100 is properlysecured against the patient's body.

This stability enhancing feature of the present invention (i.e. thefeatures disclosed herein with regards to the mounting plate 106 and itsconnection to straps 116) also eliminates the need to carry a variety ofdifferent instruments to stop the bleeding at a vane y of differentportions of the patient's body. This is especially beneficial inemergency care settings where it is not economic(packing of bag space)or realistic to carry multiple devices in varying strap configurationsto treat all the types of bleeding from different sites.

The stability enhancing, features of the present invention alsoeliminate the need for a support plate, which is typically used withpoint-pressure systems. Traditional support plates were believed to benecessary and an integral part of point-pressure system. However, theinventor has identified a new system that eliminates the need for suchcomponents, and more importantly, reduces the number of items that auser or medical professional has the deploy and attach to user,especially when time is of the essence.

The stability enhancing features of the present invention enables theapparatus 100 to be used with a traditional tourniquet without requireadditional stability plates, etc. In one embodiment of the invention,the apparatus of the present invention 100 may be attached to atourniquet. In these instances, the buckle closure system of traditionaltourniquet may be replaced with the apparatus 100 for the application ofpoint pressure.

In some embodiments of the invention, the mounting plate 106 is alsocomprised of at least one aperture or opening through which the pressureapplicator may slide in an upward or a downward direction. The mountingplate aperture or opening is discussed in greater detail below inreference to FIGS. 1 and 4.

The mounting plate 106 may also be comprised of one or more fingerhold(s) 108. In one embodiment of the invention, the finger holds 108may be integrally formed on the bottom surface of the mounting plate 106(i.e. the surface facing a. wound when the apparatus 100 is disposedabove the wound or an open blood vessel). The finger holds enable a userto apply counter-pressure (or upward force) to the apparatus 100. In oneembodiment, the user may apply upward pressure on the finger hold(s)108—and at the same time—apply downward pressure on the pressureapplicator 102 with the palm of his or her hand to slide the pressureapplicator 102 in a downward direction. In one embodiment, applyingdownward force to pressure applicator 102 in a downward direction causesthe locking tab 104 to disengage, which permits the pressure applicator102 to travel in a downward direction (i.e. in the direction of thewound).

Referring now to the finger hold(s) 108 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4more particularly, which permit a user to apply counterforce whenapplying downward force on the pressure applicator. In one exemplaryembodiment of the finger hold is molded into the mounting plate 106. Thefinger hold allows the user to apply counter force to the upper stop,The finger hold can also contain an aperture through which the rod isfed through, as well as be a affixing point for the lock tab.

The opposing force applied to the upper stop and finger hold 108 movesthe rod through the lock tab and support base. Without this finger hold108, downward force applied to the upper stop would move the device as aunit due to strapping being non-rigid and thus not force the rod throughthe lock tab and support base. Indeed, without the finger hold(s) 108the apparatus 100 may not be able to apply sufficient force to extendthe pressure applicator 102 to adequately stop the bleeding, while, atthe same time, not cause damage to nearby tissue/wound, which couldhappen if the mounting plate 106 is pushed down on the wound sitewithout application of counter-force.

The finger hold(s) 108 of the present invention also permit theapparatus 100 to meet several military spec requirements or desiredattributes. For example, the strategically placed finger hold(s) 108, asillustrated inf FIG. 1 permits a patient to apply pressure on his or herwound. In other words, it is possible to use the device single handedlyas enabled by the linger holds(s) 108 This feature is beneficial in anystrapping configuration and additionally allows the user to apply thedevise to their-self in some instances, and allows for single handtightening.

Any number of finger hold(s) 108 may be used without departing from thescope of the invention.

The locking tab 104 may connect to the mounting plate 106 or extensionportions that are connected to the mounting plate, as illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 4, respectively. In one embodiment, the locking tab issimply a plate with an aperture 107. The plate, in its normal or restingconfiguration rests at an angle that is offset from a plane that isorthogonal to the pressure applicator 102. The offset angle appliesfriction and pressure on the pressure applicator 102 and prevents thepressure applicator from moving in an upward or downward directionrelative to the mounting plate 106. When a user wishes to extend thepressure applicator 102 in either direction, the user may depress thelocking tab 104 at the end that is not connected, directly orindirectly, to the mounting plate 106. Pressing the locking tab 104 insuch a manner, aligns the aperture 107 to the pressure applicator 102(i.e. places the aperture 107 in a plane that is substantiallyorthogonal to the pressure applicator 102. In one embodiment of theinvention, the locking tab 104 automatically depresses whenever thepressure applicator 102 is also depressed by application of force by auser.

The locking mechanism described herein permits rapid application ofpressure at a wound site. Unlike traditional prior art systems, whichapply pressure slowly or gradually, the auto-locking mechanism of thepresent invention permits users to apply pressure extremely rapidly andby simply applying downward pressure on the pressure applicator.Moreover, unlike other pressure application systems, which areunreliable in transport scenarios and the like, the pressure applicationsystem of the present invention permits universal use in a variety ofdifferent combat, transport, and other scenarios.

The present disclosure is also for a method of using the apparatus 100disclosed herein. The method is comprised of placing the apparatus 100over a wound or an open blood vessel, attaching the apparatus 100 to thestraps are may be disposed around a patient's body, applying downwardpressure on the pressure applicator, applying counter pressure (orupward pressure) to the mounting plate 106 via provided finger holds.

Additional Considerations

As used herein any reference to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment”means that a particular element, feature, structure, or characteristicdescribed in connection with the embodiment is included in at least oneembodiment. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in variousplaces in the specification are not necessarily all referring to thesame embodiment.

Some embodiments may be described using the expression “coupled” and“connected” along with their derivatives. For example, sonic embodimentsmay be described using the term “coupled” to indicate that two or moreelements are in direct physical or electrical contact. The term“coupled,” however, may also mean that two or more elements are not indirect contact with each other, but yet still co-operate or interactwith each other. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,”“including,” “has,” “having” or any other variation thereof, areintended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process,method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is notnecessarily limited to only those elements but may include otherelements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method,article, or apparatus. Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary,“or” refers to an inclusive or and not to an exclusive or. For example,a condition A or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true(or present) and Bis false (or not present), A is false (or not present)and Bis true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present).

In addition, use of the “a” or an are employed to describe elements andcomponents of the embodiments herein. This is done merely forconvenience and to give a. general sense of the invention. Thisdescription should be read to include one or at least one and thesingular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meantotherwise.

Upon reading this disclosure, those of skill in the art will appreciatestill additional alternative structural and functional designs for asystem and a process for creating an interactive message through thedisclosed principles herein. Thus, while particular embodiments andapplications have been illustrated and described, it is to be understoodthat the disclosed embodiments are not limited to the preciseconstruction and components disclosed herein. Various apparentmodifications, changes and variations may be made in the arrangement,operation and details of the method and apparatus disclosed hereinwithout departing from the spirit and scope defined in the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An auto-locking apparatus for controllinghemorrhage, the apparatus enabling a user to apply point pressureextremely rapidly with a single hand, the apparatus comprising: amounting plate for mounting the apparatus over a wound site, themounting plate comprising a top surface and a bottom surface; a strapattachment point coupled to the mounting plate, the strap attachmentpoint configured for connecting to a strap that secures the apparatusover the wound site; a pressure applicator for applying point pressureto the wound site, the pressure applicator extending through themounting plate and being stabilized in a lateral direction by themounting plate; and an auto-locking mechanism enabling the pressureapplicator to travel, upon application of downward force, towards thewound site when the apparatus is placed over the wound site, theauto-locking mechanism preventing the pressure applicator fromtravelling away from the wound site when downward pressure is removedfrom the pressure applicator, the auto-locking mechanism comprising alocking tab having an aperture therethrough, wherein the pressureapplicator extends through the aperture in the locking tab, wherein thelocking tab comprises a resting position that is at an angle that isoffset from a plane that is orthogonal to the pressure applicator andthe pressure applicator is prevented from moving upward or downward whenthe locking tab is in the resting position, and wherein the locking tabcomprises an active position in which the locking tab substantiallyaligns with the plane that is orthogonal to the pressure applicator andthe pressure applicator is able to move upward or downward when thelocking tab is in the active position.